In pictures: Storm Ciarán batters Europe and the United Kingdom

It is a meteorologically turbulent autumn in Europe, especially in the south of the continent and also in the United Kingdom. Ciarán is the name of a storm with wind speeds of more than 200 kilometres per hour affecting several European countries.

The waves and wind were huge on France's Atlantic coasts, and what's more, the wind left a million French people without power. In the picture the French port of Brest.

In addition, there were at least ten deaths due to the strong storm. In France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Spain. A 23-year-old woman died in Madrid after being crushed by a two-ton tree.

Heavy rain flooded large parts of the United Kingdom and Ireland. Pictured is a statue about to be swallowed by the waves in Folkestone.

There was significant damage to homes in both the UK and Ireland due to the rain and hurricane-force winds. In the picture, destruction in the British enclave of Dorset.

Trees represent one of the great dangers of  Storm Ciarán. In the cities, dozens fell to the ground due to winds which reached unprecedented speeds.

As seen in this image from Bréhal in northwestern France, trees of enormous size were mercilessly felled by the storm.

The images of rough seas (this one comes from Newhaven Lighthouse in England) are fascinating and beautiful, but also warn of impending danger.

Northern Italy was also badly affected by the storm. This is how cars circulated in Florence.

Rivers overflowed their banks throughout Tuscany, and even the famous Lake Como overflowed its banks as reported by CNN.

Europe is currently going through difficult times to conduct the usual everyday life that normally takes place in its capitals.

Both the previous and this picture were taken in London, where walking was difficult due to strong winds.

After the storm passes, images of devastation follow. This is the island of Jersey in the south of England.

The level of severity of the recent storms to hit Europe is unusual. Are there climatic elements that have changed?

The very high summer temperatures that heated the waters of the Atlantic led many meteorologists to predict the possibility of strong storms when the cold air currents typical of autumn and winter arrived.

Meteorologists summarise that “the contrast between polar and tropical temperatures” can cause these dangerous autumn storms in Europe. It is once again climate change that is challenging us.